The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki al-Sheikh announced that Egyptian actress Mona Zaki has been chosen to portray the legendary musician Umm Kulthum in an upcoming biopic film entitled “Al-Sitt” (The Lady)
The film will be directed by Marwan Hamed.
Zaki previously starred in the 2007 film “Asmaa” (Names), in which she portrays the character of the Egyptian singer Asmahan – showing she is no stranger to taking on such a historical role.
The film will be financially backed by the “Big Time” Fund, dedicated to raising the quality of Arabic content in film production, distribution, and industry.
Al-Sheikh also revealed a list of 15 films that will be supported by the Fund. These include “Shughl Cairo” (Cairo Work), which will feature Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram’s debut into the acting world.
She will be joined in the film by Egyptian actor Karim Abdel Aziz.
Other movies that will also be funded by the “Big Time” are “Awlad Rizq 3” (Sons of Rizq 3), “Saidi Fi Al-Jamia Al-Amrikiya 2” (Upper Egyptian in the American University 2), and “Al-Film Al-Azraq 3” (The Blue Film 3).
Egypt’s star
Umm Kulthum was born to a humble family in a rural village called Tamay al-Zahayra, in Senbellawein, Dakahlia Governorate, and her real name is Fatima, the daughter of Sheikh Ibrahim al-Sayyid al-Beltagy, and sources have differed on the date of her birth.
Her family’s main source of income was their father who worked as a vocalist at the wedding parties of the village. Umm Kulthum learned singing from him at an early age, as she began singing lessons with him. Then, at the age of twelve, she began singing with him at weddings, marking the beginning of her artistic career before her arrival in Cairo.
Her death in 1975 brought millions into the Cairo streets to mourn, and while her influence among Arab singers is incalculable, it extended far beyond it, the Rolling Stones magazine said.
